Strangely Biblical

Evil is brought to earth. Why was this allowed? Who was the Tempter? Who was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for? What was Yahweh's intentions for mankind? Were they changed or just delayed? All these questions are discussed in this episode as Jeff and Shelby continue the Genesis narrative. 

Music in this episode: 

Jakob Ahlbom - The Gordian Knot - Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Trevor Kowalski - Pretty Sacrifice - ...

Welcome to the beginning. This episode covers a deep dive into Genesis in a way the original audience would understand. It answers the questions of who created the cosmos, why was it called good, and what it means to be made in the image of God. The previous two episodes will get listeners into the ancient near eastern mindset beforehand! 

Scripture References: 

Genesis 1 LEB

2 Peter 3:5 ESV

Jeremiah 4:23

1 Samuel 2:8

Genesis 8:2...

The creation story we read in Genesis 1 was not the first or only written creation narrative of the ancient world. It also was not written to answer our modern questions we bring to the text. Before diving into the creation story of the Bible in the next episode, it is important to have a foundational understanding of what ideas about creation were popular for the ancient near eastern peoples. This will set our minds in the appropr...

We know a flood happened in the ancient world, but what are the details surrounding the deluge? Ancient civilizations had their own stories for how and why this event occurred. In Genesis 6 we read the account of Yahweh bringing on the flood after the horrors of man's wickedness and the Nephilim crimes against humanity reach the gates of heaven. But this isn't the only flood narrative we have from the ancient world. In this episode...

What we read in scripture about the Nephilim is backed by many ancient texts and legends including 1 Enoch, found among the dead sea scrolls and quoted by biblical authors, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the legends of the giants in Babylonian culture. Jeff & Shel examine these stories against scripture to gain a deeper understanding of what happened in Genesis 6, the conquests of Joshua, the transfiguration event, and more. 

Boo...

Jeff & Shelby take what was learned about the sons of God in the Old Testament and marry that understanding to the extrabiblical texts and New Testament passages that speak of the children of God. The sons of God in both testaments are Yahweh's family but who specifically is in reference shifts. Who are the sons of God? Tune in to part 2 to find out!

References:

Plato's Critias

1 Enoch 6, 7, & 10

Jude 6-7, & 14

2 Pete...

Jeff & Shelby discuss theories about the identity of the sons of God in its Old Testament usage. Are they human rulers? Are they descendants of Seth? Or are they divine beings on Yahweh's heavenly court? The way this phrase is used throughout Old Testament scripture is sifted through to see what can be deduced directly from the text. This is part 1 of a 2 part series where the phrase will be explored in its New Testament usage....

Jeff & Shelby discuss the disinheritance of the nations by Yahweh at the tower of Babel, the ultimate plan to bring them all back, how this plan threads through scripture, and the Day of Pentecost as the reversal of Babel. Jesus' ministry and that of his disciples begins the reclamation of the 70 nations dispersed at Babel back to Yahweh, and it's a mission we are still continuing today. 

Scripture References:

Genesis 11: 1-9

D...